Illuminated sign



C. B. EHNBORN.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28,1921.

1,40 2 Patented Feb/14,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I C. B. EHNBORN.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED mmzs. 1921.

1,40 2 Patented Feb; 14, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, izz/P/zfor (Why/5 272 C. B. EHNBORN.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED mmze, 1921.

1,406,626, Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- jive/2222" UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICB CHARLES B. nmvnoiuv, or GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS, ssrenon T0 'rrros. cusnck COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A oonroanrioiv or new JERSEY.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Specification 0: Letters Patent. P t t 14, .1 2

Application filed March 28, 1921. Serial 1 10. 456,078.

To aZZ w lwm it may concern Be it known thatI, CHARLES E. EHNBORN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Glen Ellyn, in the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminated Signs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated signs, and consists of the matter hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention relates especially to an electrically illuminated sign, preferably of sheet metal construction, on which is depicted, in addition to the letters, designs or symbols constituting the main central body of the sign matter, a surrounding scroll or border about the main part of the sign intended usually to present a panel effect.

In signs of this kind, it has been customary to provide supplemental or additional lamps located back of the scroll or border to illuminate and set forth the same, but this method of illumination has been unsatisfactory, and has produced a spotty or uneven result instead of the desired clear, uniform outline of the scroll.

.The object of the invention is to provide a sign in which the said outline of the surrounding scroll or border will be evenly and uniformly lighted throughout, so as to present the same brilliant appearance as the letters, characters or designs of the main body of the sign matter. In addition, the invention embodies certain novel and improved features of mechanical construction and arrangement for providing the outlines, scroll Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section through the sign in a plane indicated by the l1ne 3.8 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is ahorizontal detail sectionalview through one end of the sign taken on' the line 1+4 of Figure 1. I

Figure 5 1s a fragmentary sectional, per spective view of the sign towards one end,

with parts broken away to illustrate the inner construction.

1 Figure 6 is a. verticalsection on. a still larger scale, through the sign with the sign panels removed.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of one of the sign panels as it appears when looked at from the rear. I

Figure 8 is a partial vertical section indicated by the line 88 of Figure 5.

Figure 9is a perspective view of the sign body. Figure 10 is a perspective View of the front wall plate of the sign. I

Figure 11 is a perspective view ofthe left hand end extension plate of the sign.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings: 10 indicates the sign box or hollow body which.

contains the illuminating lamps, and 11 indicates the front wall of said box, said wall including the panels on which are outlined sign matter.

The sign body 10 as shown, is preferably made of sheet metal, and consists of a shell of isosceles triangular cross section (see Fig. 2) extending the'length of the sign, with a longitudinally extending, substantially rectangular channel 12 at the apex of the triangle. 13, 13, indicate the inclined, back walls of the shell, the same being theequilateral sides of the triangle and diverging towards the top and bottom edges of the front wall 11, which corresponds to the base of the triangle. The ends of the sign body are closed by end walls 13, which are substantially triangular. In the channel 12, is supported a channel bar 14 with its flanges extending rearwardly and bearing againstthe sides of thechannel12,-the bar itself being perforated to receive and support a plurality of lamp sockets 15, in a familiar manner. The channel bar 14, and the channel 12, enclose a longitudinally extending space, which provides a conduit 16 fo'r the line wires (not shown) which supply current v flanges 17 17, which extend substantially thev full length of the sign body. As shown, said flanges are made integral with the walls 13, 13,'and the metal'is preferably 'bent upon itself at the edges of the flanges to stiffen them.

In signs of the kind, the sign letters, characters, symbols," or other devices are provided by cutting out themetal panels, constituting. the greater part of the front :wall of the sign, to outline said letters, characters or symbols, and theopen spaces thus formed todepict the same are backed by plates of glass or of other transparent or translucent materiahthrough which the light. from the illuminating lamps is thrown,the rest of the face of-the sign being rendered opaque by the remaining parts of said panels, so that the letters, characters and the like are sharply outlined by light rays.

18 indicates a plurality of panels of the kind referred to (see Figures 1, 3 and 7),

eaclrhaving one or more letters orcharacters 19, cut out of it, and all of the panels when assembled in place in the front wall of the sign, depicting the main sign matter. Each panel 18 has a glass plate 20 secured to its rear face in any convenient manner (see Fig. 7-) so that it willcover the letter, chai acter, or other symbols 19 cut out of the panel. .When necessary, the parts of the panel defining the letters and the like are connected by wires21in a familiarmanner,

to prevent the plate fromsaggingaway fromthe glass adjacent to the outline of the letter. The bottom marginal part of each panel is bent back upon itself to provide a downwardly facing hook fiange 22 for engagement with parts of'the front wallll, as will later appear.

11 indicates a front wall plate having an elongated opening 111 to receive the panels 18, said opening being defined at top and bottom by longitudinally extending parts 11", 11 Said plate is supported in such manner that the parts 11 and 11 are spaced from the proximate edges of the flanges 17 sons to leave between them longitudinally extending relatively narrow spaces or slots 23, which define lines that form a part of the scroll about-the sign'matter, said scroll inthis case, being an openelongated rectangular figure. The front wallplatell is supportedin positionby means of spaced brackets 24:, (see Fig. 6)-which' are fixed at one end to the top and bottom parts 11, 11 of said front wall plate, and are fixed at their other ends to the angularly disposed rear walls 13 ofthe sign body. Longer brackets 24, similar to the brackets 24, (see Fig. 5) connect the ends of the frontwall plate 11 with the walls 18.

The top marginal part 11, of the front wall plate, is provided at the back and along its bottom edge with a hooked flange which presents a downwardly opening groove 26 (seeFig. 6). The bottom part 11 is bent upon itself at its top edge to form a stiff supporting rib 11. The groove 26 and the rib 11 provide supports for the panels 18,

which restwith the hooked flanges 22 at the bottom of the panel engaged on the ribs 11 and the top of the panel engaged in the groove In positioning the panels, the top edge of the panel is inserted into the groove 26,

from. the front of the opening in the front 1 wall plate'll until the bottom edge of the panel is free to pass the rib 11 at the top edge of-the bottom marginal part 11 ofisaid plate. A slight inward movement is then imparted to the bottom. part of the panel until the hooked flange 22 at the bottom of the panel is aligned with the rib 11, whenzthe panelis permitted to fall into position. All of the panels may be posi tioned in this manner, and when in place,

may be shifted longitudinally of the opening 11 to bring'the side edges of the panels into closeengagement toprevent the escape of lightat said e'dges'overlapping at said side edges in a familiar way as shown in the drawings.

The spaces or slots 23 which form the top and bottom parts of the scroll or border, are. closed by strips of opalescent or frosted glass 27. Said strips are supportedin position against the rear faces of the metal parts definingsaid slots. As shown, they are en-' gaged along one edge back of the flange 17, 17, and along their other edges by bendable clips 28 carried upon the inner faces of the partsll, 11 of the front wall'll, as shown in Figure 6.

The front wallplate 11 terminates at its ends at linesspaced from the ends of the sign body and spaced within the end part of thescroll. The spaces between theend walls of the casing and the ends of the front wall platell, are closed by extension front plates 29, which are offset a short distance in front of the plane of said front wall plate. Each extension front plate comprises two supplemental plates 29, 29", which are 'cut' and spaced to provide slots or spaces 30 between them. Said slots or spaces each include an upright part 31, curved cornerparts 32, and short horizontal parts 83, which register with, and thus connect said upright and corner parts with the horizontal slots 23, so as to provide a continuous uninterrupted border or scroll upon the front face of the sign about the panels therein. The supplemental plate 29 has top and bottom flanges, which are attached to the marginal parts of the. in

clined rear Walls, as shown in Figure 8. Each supplemental plate 29 also has an end flange, which is engaged upon and attached to the front margin of the adjacent end wall l3 of the casing, as shown in Figure 4.

Each supplemental plate 29 has an offset flange29 along that vertical margin which is removed from the slot 30. The flange 29 overlaps and is secured to the front face of the frontpwall plate 11 near its end (see Fig. 5). Associated with each extension front plate 29, is an upright strip of opalescent or frosted glass 34 which is faced against said plate, and is engaged at one vertical side margin between that plate and the front edge of theend wall'13 and at the other vertical side margin between said plate and the end of the front wall plate 11, which projects beyond the offset flange 29 i Preferably the whole exposed front metallic surface of the sign, as well as the metallic parts'of the panels 18', are painted black.

This hides the rivet heads and seams upon said front surface, and brings out instrong contrast, the open scroll or border and the open letters cut in the sign panels.

By the construction above described, the

lamps 15 not only uniformly light the characters on the sign panels by direct rays, but also light the scroll or border evenly throughout, by rays reflected from the walls 13, so that it presents the same brilliant and unspotted appearance as the characters constituting the main sign matter. Thus, when the sign is illuminated at night, the characters and border being brilliantly and evenly illuminated, will show up in sharp, well defined outlines, presenting the appearance of standing alone, the front and blackened face of the sign presenting the illusion of having disappeared. A sign so constructed, not only makes a practical and desirable night sign, but also makes a desirable day sign by reason of the clear, sharp outlines of the characters and border.

The sign may be amply illuminated with but a few lamps and this without showing up any spotted or uneven results.

The panels may be quickly and easily removed and replaced, and this from the front of the sign, so that the sign body need not be taken apart when it is desired to change the advertising matter depicted by the panel characters.

While in describing my invention, I have referred to certain detail of mechanical con struction, as well as the form and arrangement of the various parts, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as is pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An illuminated sign, comprising a hollow body including a front wall, constituting the face of the sign, said front wall being constructed to present openings outlining a border and sign matter. within the border, the body being of flat isosceles triangular cross section with the front wall corresponding to the base thereof, and a wide obtuse angle at the apex and means providing for the support of a row oflights at the apex of the triangle, said lights illuminating the sign matter openings by direct rays andilluminating the border openings by reflection from the angularly disposed walls of the body. 7

- 2. An illuminatedsign, comprising a hollow body of isosceles triangular cross sec tion, the outer ends of the angularly disposed walls of which, terminate in flanges arranged in a planecorresponding to the base of the triangle, a. front plate in theplane of saidv flange, and hav ng its edges spaced fronr the edges; of said flanges to provide border openings, said front plate having sign matter openings between the border openings,

means supporting said front plate from said angularly dlsposed walls, and means for supporting a row of lights at the apex of I I the'triangle, said lights illuminating the sign matter openings by direct rays, and illuminating the border openings by reflection from the angularly disposed walls of the body.

8. An illuminated sign, comprising a hollow body of isosceles triangular cross section, the outer ends of the angularly disposed walls of which terininate'in flanges arranged in a plane corresponding to the base of the triangle, a front wall plate in the plane of said flanges, and having its edges spaced from the edges of said flanges to provide border openings, means supporting said front plate from said triangularly disposed walls, panels having sign matter openings therein supported in said front plate, translucent means covering the sign matter openings and the border openings,

and a row of lights at the apex of the triangle to illuminate the translucent means covering said openings.

4. An illuminated sign, comprising ahollow body having end walls, and angularly disposed rear walls which terminate in top and bottom flanges arranged in a plane corresponding to the plane of the base of an isosceles triangle, an open front wall plate arranged in the plane of said flanges, the edges of said flanges and plate being spaced to provide horizontal parts of a scroll, end extensions of said front plate, each end extension comprising two plates, one of which is fixed to the end of the front plate, and the other of which is secured to the end wall and to the angular walls of the body, the plates of each extension being cut and spaced apart to provide end openings in the face of the sign forming a vertical continuation of the horizontal parts of the scroll, panels having sign matter openings therein supported on said front plate, translucent means for covering the said scroll and sign matter openings at the rear, and a row of lights at the apex of the sign body for illuminating the translucent cove-ring means.

- 5. An illuminated sign, comprising a hollOW body having angularly disposed rear alls, upright end Walls, and top and bottom front flanges, an open front Wall plate in the plane of said flanges but spaced therefrom to provide the top and bottom longitudinally extending parts of a surrounding scroll, said front Wall plate terminating short of the end Walls of the body, means for supporting said front Wall plate from said angularly disposed rear Walls, panels having sign matter openings therein supported on said frontwall plate, end extensions of said front Wall plate, each end section comprising two plates secured to the end Walls and to the angular walls of the body, the plates of each section 'being cut and spaced apart to provide an upright end part of the scroll which connects with and forms a continuation ofsaid top and bottom longitudinal parts of the scroll, translucent means covering said openings, and a row of lights at the apexof the sign body for illuminating the translucent covering means.

6. An illuminated sign, comprising a hollowbody of isosceles triangularcross-section having end Walls, means providinga front Wall for the body corresponding to the base of the triangle, said wall being constructed to define a continuous border opening adjacent the mar ins of said front Wall, and to define sign-c aracter openings in the front Wall plate Within the border, translucent means for covering said openings from the rear, and means for supporting a row of lights at the rear apex of the body for illuminating said openings,

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this 25th day of February, A. D. 1921.

I 7 CHARLES B. EHNBORN. \Vitnesses: i

TQH. ALFREDS, v

' CHRISTINA DEANS. 

